WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ALLEN: I’VE TO IMPROVE AT CRUCIBLE

One quarter-final spot in nine years just not enough

TOP Northern Irish potter Mark Allen is desperate to avoid a China Crisis at the Crucible.

The Antrim ace famously criticised Chinese potter Cao Yupeng at the 2012 World Championship for failing to call a foul on himself.

And the world No 13 is hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice at snooker’s spiritual home.

The former Masters champion has drawn qualifier Lyu Haotian in this year’s first round.

And Allen also hopes he can end a shocking season on a high in Sheffield.

“I’m not sure why I haven’t played my best this season,” admitted the 2009 Crucible semi-finalist.

“You need to be extremely sharp in Sheffield and try and get through the early rounds without using too much fuel.

“Sheffield is a tough old slog, you need to be physically and mentally sharp and I probably haven’t been over the years.”

Allen proved his undoubted class by winning November’s elite Champion of Champions invitational event.

But he has struggled by his own admission this season, reaching just one ranking quarter-final.

“This season’s been a write off for me in terms of ranking events. It’s been awful,” added Allen, whose last ranking title came at the 2018 Scottish Open.

“I’ve just not been good enough and that needs to really improve.

“It’s been tough not playing in front of fans, I’ve hated it.”

Allen kicks off his Crucible charge on Tuesday morning, before playing to a finish in the evening.

And the left-hander hopes he can turn his dreadful recent Crucible record around with just one quarter-final appearance in the last NINE years.

World champion Ronnie O’sullivan begins his title defence in tomorrow’s curtain-raiser against debutant Mark Joyce.

And if the Rocket can successfully defend his Crucible crown then he will equal Scottish legend Stephen Hendry’s haul of seven world titles.

English potter Sam Craigie is the other debutant at this year’s event, which runs April 17-May 3. He faces triple Crucible King Mark Williams.